Sherdog’s Top 10: Greatest Bellator Fights

10. Joe Schilling vs. Melvin Manhoef | Bellator 131 (Nov. 15, 2014)

In terms of rankings and titles, this fight was not significant. Schilling was just 1-3 in MMA and Manhoef was 38 years old and well past his prime. However, in terms of being a delight for fans of full-blooded, brutal striking exchanges, it is a sparkling diamond. On one side stood Manhoef, one of the greatest, most explosive strikers in MMA history, who finished seventh on Sherdog's list of the biggest punchers ever and boasted a 91% knockout rate that was easily the highest of anyone on that list. On the other hand was former Glory Kickboxing champion Schilling, nicknamed “Stitch ‘em Up” for his vicious cutting elbows. Yes, before he became better known for beating up homeless bums and rowdy drunks in street fights, Schilling delivered great entertainment in professional, sanctioned combat.

Initially, both men traded bone-crushing leg kicks. Despite being seven inches taller, Schilling was loath to engage much in the boxing early, so wary was he of the Dutchman's power. Schilling decided to clinch before landing a low blow that caused the fight to restart in the center. Suddenly, Manhoef used a beautiful feint to throw a left hook and a heat-seeking-missile right hook, the latter bouncing off Schilling's temple and putting him on his butt. He swarmed to finish off Schilling and landed some brutal blows, with referee Mike Beltran very close to stopping matters. However, Schilling managed to tie up Manhoef in his guard just in time. The Dutchman continued battering his foe with occasional strikes, but when the pace slowed, Beltran stood them up with just under a minute left in the first. Manhoef delivered several monster shots and though Schilling blocked them, they still hurt. The American was undeterred, though, coming forward and scoring with textbook knees and elbows that rocked the Dutchman for the first time. As the electric stanza ended the crowd was on their feet, cheering their lungs out. Any concern that the pace would slow in the second was dispelled after just 20 seconds, as Schilling threw murderous shots in the pocket and Manhoef returned them in kind, with both men dazed from the exchanges. Schilling connected on a picture-perfect right hook that kissed Manhoef perfectly on the chin. Manhoef reacted as if he had been shot by a cannonball, falling back asleep with his hands splayed over his head. As the crowd thundered with applause, the striking classic had come to a memorable, sudden end.

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